Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

He was born near Buffalo Creek in Augusta County (now Rockbridge County),Virginia. Even though his father died when he was a baby, John Tollett was well educated. He is listed among the titheables in 1775 in what was Botetourt County, Virginia where he settled next to Christopher Vineyard. His father-in-law, Abraham Brown was listed as a titheable in the area in 1771 and 1772. He was a devout Methodist, and spread his faith wherever he lived. He also obtained much land. Either he or his mother must have converted to Methodism. Methodism was established in England in 1738 by the Wesleys. Not until about 1760 was it introduced into America. After 1775, John Tollett relocated to New River in Montgomery County, Virginia (now Pulaski County) where the Brown and Macintosh families had already settled.

He had obtained a commissioner's Certificate for 100 acres on Rock Creek (later called New River) by 1775. He sold this property to George Miller. In 1782 he acquired 69 more acres on Black Creek near his future father and brother-in-law. He took the Oath of Allegiance on November 10, 1777, (file 66-1159, 1775-1783). He also fought in the American Revolution. John Tollett and Cornelius Brown were included in Trigg's list of Sept. 6, 1777-April 1, 1778. He is listed as a sergeant in Capt. Patton's Company (March 24, 1781 ) in addition to Peter Brown ensign, Abraham Brown, and Cornelius Brown. He can be found on the 1782 tax list of Montgomery County, Virginia. On Oct. 5 1785 he purchased 600 acres in Elber County (which later became Wilkes County), Georgia. He also obtained 100 acres on the North Fork of Beaverdam Creek (same county) from Moses Trimble.

There is one record that says that he was on tax lists that year paying 1 poll and that he owned 1200 acres of land. The rest of the land was received for serving in the Revolution. Two Vineyard family members were living nearby and each owned 200 acres. He assisted in the establishment of the second Methodist church in Georgia. It was known as Beaverdam Preaching House, and it was located in Elbert county. In 1788, John Tollett was recorded as one of the trustees. After he sold half of his property to Philip Vineyard and in 1790 sold 600 acres in Elbert County to Moses Trimble, he and his family once again returned to Virginia. After they moved to Clinch River in Tazewell County, Virginia, John Tollett petitioned many times from 1793 to 1798 for the formation of Tazewell County, Virginia. It was not created until 1800. While there were Indian problems, the Tolletts returned to New River for a few months. Later they returned to Tazewell County. In the records of lawsuit John Tollett is said to have "built a large frame house with two brick chimneys, a grist mill, a sawmill, barn, and other buildings. He had 25 acres of cleared land, a paled-in garden, a spring house, kitchen, stables and an orchard which he set out." He was a trustee who was involved in the purchase of land for a Methodist Church building. There is a 1982 picture of the church in Texas Trails.... Because of a land dispute, we have some information about him that we might not have had otherwise. He said he first arrived in the Tazewell County, Virginia area in July of 1790, but he left after staying with Christopher Marrs for 10 days because of Indian problems. After settling there in the summer of 1792, he lived for a period of fourteen years on the disputed land. He built a mill which was still standing when the above mentioned book was written. It still stands John Tollett's property, which is called "King's Place." It is down the road from the Pisgah Church that he attended. He became the Justice of the Peace for the county in 1800 and performed twenty eight marriages there between March, 1801 and January, 1804. He also served as a member of the county court. On September 13 1806, following a move to Roane County, Tennessee, he was appointed Justice of the Peace for Roane County, Tennessee. He was sworn in on June 16, 1807. He lived between Crossville and Pikeville, above Lowe's Gap, in an area which became Bledsoe county in 1807.

In 1807 he purchased 1250 acres of land around the Sequatchie Valley in an area that was once called Tollett, Tennessee. There was a mill and a store there.

At Tabor, Tennessee, a Tollett Methodist Church was built which either John Tollett or one of his descendents began. During this period he continued to pay taxes in Tazewell County, Virginia, although his home was in Tennessee. The land where the family home was built continues to be owned by members of the Tollett family today, according to Texas Trails...and a house from this period is reported to still be standing although it is used for hay. The house (built about 1806) was two stories high and had a chimney at each end. In 1815 John Tollett began to sell some of his land. He journeyed to Arkansas as a Methodist minister, later returning to get his family and take them to Arkansas. He established a mission at Monde Prairie which became Arkansas's first Methodist church and was later named Henry's Chapel. After 1819 he began to sell much of his Tennessee land. Tollett, Arkansas was named for John Tollett. After freeing his slaves, he gave them land across the creek from his land. He provided what they needed to build a church, town hall, and school. The freed slaves took Tollett as their surnames. Their descendants have a reunion every year in Tollett, Arkansas, and descendents of John Tollett have always been welcome. There was a professor at a Houston university (according to Texas Trails...) who is descended from these slaves.

In 1821 he (or maybe his son John?) signed a petition which expressed concern over a recent treaty with the Indians. There was concern over the possible loss of their land. Also signing the petition was his son David.

He had died by October 16, 1824 when his estate was filed for probate.

In The Arkansas Gazett dated 24 Jan 1826, David and Henry Tollett, executors for the estate of John Tollett posted a petition to foreclose on a mortgage in a suit against Symon Miller in Miller County, Arkansas.

On 11 Apr 1826, David and Henry Tollett posted a notice in The Arkansas Gazett that they would apply to the court at the next May term for a final settlement of the estate. That notice was dated 11 Apr 1826. It refered to the estate of John Tollett, late of Miller County, Arkansas Territory.